Hard to Fight

I just have a feeling there’s more to Raide’s story than meets the eye.

And I’m determined to find out.

Chapter Seven

Here I am again. Trying to get Raide’s attention.

It’s week two of our little dance and I’m supposed to give Don a report. I need something to report back, but at the moment, Raide is giving me nothing. I followed him to yet another club, and I have to wonder why he’s spending his time going from club to club. He’s obviously looking for something, because I always see him having intense conversations with people who look more than a little suspicious.

Tonight we’ve ended up at a club that’s somewhat deserted. It’s a quiet nightspot on the outskirts of town, and there are only fifty or so people here. Most are playing pool or sitting at the bar, a few are dancing. Raide is in the back corner with a woman and two men. They’re discussing something in depth. They’re all huddled together, drinks tucked close to their bodies. I get myself a drink and watch him out of the corner of my eye. I see the exact moment he notices me, because his eyes narrow.

I turn back to my drink, pretending I haven’t seen him.

Five minutes later, he’s by my side, leaning into my ear. “You following me?”

I turn and stare at him. I’ve played the drunken tart, and it didn’t work. So now I’m shrugging him off. “Sorry, do I know you?”

Again, he narrows his eyes. “Playin’ games, lady?”

“I think you’ve got me confused with someone else.” Of course, I don’t expect him to believe this, but I do hope to make him intrigued.

He grins. Mission accomplished.

“I can play it like that.”

I shoot back a tequila and stand. “Not sure what we’re playing—but, honey, I’m up for anything.”

With that, I walk out onto the dance floor and start dancing. Damned proud of myself. I sway my hips, knowing that I’ve gotten half the club's attention. I’m into the song, eyes closed, hips swaying, when a warm, hard body presses against mine. I inwardly grin as I open my eyes and look down at the hands on my hips. Yep, Raide’s. How do I know? He wears a ring, a dark gray band that wraps around one of his perfect fingers.

He doesn’t say a word, he just starts swaying with me, hands still on my hips, body plastered against mine. I close my eyes, enjoying the moment. His hands slide up my belly and stop just under my breasts as he pulls me back into him, grinding my body against his. Oh boy. Things just got hot in here. I can feel his erection against my ass, and I won’t deny that it’s impressive.

“I like games,” he murmurs into my ear. “But there’s only so long I play them before I take what I need.”

“And what is it you need?” I ask, turning my face so our lips are millimeters apart.

“Lady,” he growls low. “Not even you’re that stupid.”

I grin and stare down at his lips. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t even know you.”

He grins, presenting two perfect dimples that I want, really badly, to lick.

“Same place at the same time over and over,” he murmurs, lifting his hand and gripping my jaw. He turns my face back toward the crowd, and his lips find my neck. I shudder. “That’s no coincidence. You wanted me from the first time I put you against that wall, Gracie.”

I shiver.

“You’ve been going out of your way since then to show up wherever I am. Now, are you going to admit it—or do we need to play a little longer?”

I pull his hands from my body and spin. I lean in really close, my breath puffing out against his lips. “A little longer.”

I go to spin away, but his hand lashes out and curls around mine. He spins me back toward him, pressing my body against his. I gasp and let myself enjoy the feeling of being in his arms for just a moment.

“You owe me a drink. I’m done with this game. You’re goin’ to give me what I want.” With that, he turns us and pulls me through the crowd. When he reaches the bar, he waves a hand and orders two beers. When they’re served, he scoops them up and leads me outside into a small gardenlike area.

We sit down, and I can’t help but smile as he hands me a beer. I want to cheer with joy, but I keep it under wraps. “Are you pleased with yourself?” I’m grinning again.

He smirks at me. “Absolutely. I’m not the kind of man to dance around what I want. You’ve intrigued me—now I want to know more.”

I lean back, taking a sip of my beer. “And what exactly do you want to know?”

He stares at me, his expression unreadable. “What are you going to tell me?”

“Well, that all depends.”

His eyes drop to my lips, and I have to swallow to keep myself from launching forward to taste him. I really want to taste him.

“I have an idea,” I say in a tight voice, making his eyes move back up to mine.

“What’s that?”

“Let’s play Twenty Questions.”

He curls his face in disgust. “No.”

“Aw, come on, it’ll be fun. You say you’re over the games—well, so am I,” I breathe. “I want to know more, too.”

He frowns. “Lady, it won’t be fun.”

“Will, too.”

“I have a better idea,” he says, putting down his beer and reaching for me. His fingers curl around the back of my neck and he pulls me close.

I suck in a breath and hold it as he brings himself in so close, our lips are only millimeters apart. “Kissing is out of bounds,” I breathe.

His lip quirks. “Any reason for that?”

“Yes,” I whisper, staring at his lips. “You haven’t answered my questions.”

He leans back a little so his eyes can search my face. “Let’s make this interesting, then. You ask a question and I answer it, I get a kiss.”

I gape.

“But if I don’t answer it, then I don’t get a kiss.”

I’m the one smirking now. “That doesn’t seem like a fair game.”

He leans back in. “Take it or leave it, lady.”

“Fine, I’m up for the challenge. Question one—” I bite my bottom lip, thinking about what I want to ask him. Could I slip in some investigative questions that might just help me? Maybe. But I won’t make it too suspicious from the start. “—how many women have fallen for your charms in the past?”

He grins. “Twelve.”

My brows shoot up. “Only twelve?”

He puts a hand over his heart. “It hurts me that you think I’m easy, Gracie.”

I snort. “You’re a womanizer—it’s written all over you.”

He winks at me. “I answered, so it’s a kiss for me.”

I brace myself, holding my breath as he leans forward. My heart rate picks up and my skin prickles. God, his lips …

He tilts his head and presses a kiss to my neck. I shudder and my jaw clenches in disappointment when he pulls back, grinning still. “I never said I was goin’ to kiss your lips, lady.”

“You’re horrible.”

His eyes twinkle with amusement.

I like this side of him. “Okay, next question,” I breathe.